Test drive of the Suzuki Ignis 4WD Mild Hybrid: the cheapest ECO-label SUV

The latest update to the Suzuki Ignis, which went on sale in 2017, brings many interesting changes. Some are aesthetic and others offer greater personalisation options. But above all, the standout is the improved Mild Hybrid light hybrid system , along with the option of a CVT continuously variable automatic gearbox as an alternative to the 5-speed manual gearbox, available only in the 4×2 version.

Its main rival remains the same: the Fiat Panda Cross. The Italian model now also has mild hybrid technology and ECO label, like the Ignis. It also offers a 4×4 version, but without the ECO label and at a higher price than the small Japanese model. The Ignis is therefore the most affordable electrified SUV with an ECO label on the market, and also the cheapest 4×4 SUV with an ECO label you can buy today. Two other Suzuki models follow in this price ranking, the Vitara and the S-Cross, but in either case the outlay already exceeds 26,000 euros.

We will review the whole Ignis range, but we will focus on the top-of-the-range model, the Ignis 1.2 GLX 4WD Mild Hybrid, which we lived with for a few days. I can tell you two things in advance: its discounted price, from 17,520 euros… and that the more we drove it each day, the more we liked it.

Ignis exterior design and cabin: small on the outside, big on the inside

The changes Suzuki made in the latest update to the Ignis range affect style details on the grille, rear bumper and light clusters, without altering its charming and distinctive look. New body colours have also been added, some of them very bold.

In total there are 11 single-tone finishes and 7 two-tone finishes, with a contrasting roof. At the dealership you can also order various stickers to personalise the exterior design further, for both the sides and the bonnet, as well as additional door protectors.

The Ignis has a very distinctive appearance, measuring just 3.7 metres long and 1.60 metres tall, with very short overhangs, large light clusters, roof bars, strongly defined wheel arches and a ground clearance of 180 mm. A very recognisable feature is the shape of the door and rear pillar, with the car’s waistline rising sharply.

Inside, the instrument panel has been updated: simple and very legible, with a monochrome TFT screen alongside the two main dials, where you can choose which additional information to display. Grey or metallic blue style details have been added, while its great versatility remains intact. There are plenty of storage spaces, and the cabin makes very good use of space given its small exterior dimensions. Although it is not a conventional SUV, the higher seating position and tall body make getting in and out easy, especially at the front seats. The overall impression is of a simple car that is well executed in terms of presentation, fit and ergonomics, even though it lacks reach adjustment on the steering wheel, which would make it easier to find a comfortable driving position.

The two rear seats sit slightly higher than the front ones and can slide independently by around 15 centimetres, with some backrest recline adjustment as well. This allows boot capacity to increase from 260 litres to around 370 litres in the 4×2 versions, which is very good for a car of this size. However, with 4×4 traction the boot loses around 55 litres, and the fuel tank capacity is also slightly reduced.

Behind the wheel of the Suzuki Ignis 1.2 4WD

Compared with the previous Ignis 1.2, which already had light hybrid technology, the new Ignis brings significant changes. To begin with, the naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine receives some fuel injection adjustments, and the 12-volt Mild Hybrid system uses a battery rated at 10 Ah, three times more than in the previous model.

All of this improves the qualities for which the Ignis already stood out when driven: very low consumption in any circumstances, impressive responsiveness for a naturally aspirated engine – despite being a small, light car – and great refinement in operation. The electric motor’s assistance during acceleration (it provides around 3 CV) is not felt at the wheel, but it is noticeable in the agility with which the Ignis moves. The small electric motor also recovers energy when you lift off the accelerator and acts as the starter motor, except when cold, when the conventional starter motor takes over.

If things get more demanding and you encounter bends or hills, or need to overtake a lorry on a two-way road, for example, the system’s 83 CV go a long way if you use the gearbox well, which has good feel and well-chosen ratios. The TFT instrument screen lets you see, among other things, the power flow graphic or, far more comfortably, the low consumption figure that the trip computer always displays. Real averages of 5.5 l/100 km are within reach for the small Ignis, and the figure does not soar in the most adverse conditions: you will hardly see it reach 8 litres.

In terms of dynamic behaviour, the Ignis is an excellent city car that can do far more than move around town with the agility of a mouse. It offers enough comfort, safety and composure to tackle a long motorway or dual carriageway journey if necessary, more than you might expect given its size, and with a higher ground clearance than a conventional saloon, though lower than a full SUV. Full-time traction is another element that adds security, although on the road the Ignis does not invite you to explore its limits to the point where the system needs to intervene, except in low-grip situations.

That said, where the Ignis 4×4 surprised me most was off the tarmac. Light, with a traction system that engages the rear axle when the front loses grip thanks to an efficient multi-plate clutch and with the help of hill descent control, the Ignis not only weaves along tracks and paths with the agility of a cat, but even dares to tackle the occasional trail, provided you carefully judge where you place the wheels, since they are not precisely fitted for off-road use as standard. Note that, with equivalent equipment, full traction costs around 1,500 euros more. That is not much if you think you will need it, depending on how you plan to use the Ignis. And it does not penalise performance or consumption enough to be a real concern. But remember, for driving on tarmac and on snowy or icy roads, the 4×2 is better… and a good set of All Season tyres.

Range, prices and equipment of the Suzuki Ignis

The Ignis range has five variants, resulting from combining the 1.2 MHEV engine with the GLE and GLX trim levels, the manual gearbox or CVT automatic, and front-wheel or four-wheel drive. The prices, already including the 1,550 euro promotional discount applied by the brand, are as follows.

• Suzuki Ignis GLE MHEV: 14,575 €
• Suzuki Ignis GLX MHEV: 16,020 €
• Suzuki Ignis GLX CVT MHEV: 17,220 €
• Suzuki Ignis GLE 4WD MHEV: 16,075 €
• Suzuki Ignis GLX 4XW MHEV: 17,520 €

An additional 940 euros can be taken off these prices if you finance the purchase through the brand.

The GLE trim is already very well equipped as standard, with light sensor, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, touchscreen, rear camera, air conditioning, hill hold control, a sliding and reclining rear bench and, on 4WD versions, hill descent control as well.

The difference between the GLE and GLX trims is around 1,500 euros. For this price, the GLX adds cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless entry, integrated indicators in the exterior mirrors, climate control, satellite navigation and the DCBS system with predictive braking control based on a video camera.

Image gallery of the Suzuki Ignis 1.2 4×4 MHEV